Far East Bhutan

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1:Arrive Paro international airport.

During the journey, one will experience breath-taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks including the sacred Jumolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by your guide and transfer to the hotel.  Later in the afternoon  visit National Museum,  visit Paro Dzong. It was built in 17th century and now houses government offices and religious institutions. Then you will visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 8th century. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 2: Paro – Thimphu

In the morning you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery situated at 3180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. The Moanstery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. Lunch will be served at the Cafeteria. Explore the monastery and hike back to the valley in the afternoon and take you to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan which is 54 km from Paro  and about 45 minutes drive. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3: Thimphu

After breakfast, visit Buddha statue,) and is presumed to be the largest Bronze statue in the world. The three storied high throne of the statue will consists of temples on each floor. visit the King’s Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan); School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school); Traditional paper factory, visit Post office were you can personalize your stamp, visit Changgangkha Monastery; visit the mini zoo where you will see national animal of Bhutan Takin, and the majestic Tashichhodzong. Evening: Stroll through the town. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Day 4: Thimphu – Punakha

 After breakfast this morning, enjoy the scenic drive to Punakha with a stop for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Eastern Himalayas. From the pass, drive downhill through the forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. You will arrive Punakha  after traversing through rice field and along the bank of Punakha River. On the way to Punakha, you will stop at Metsina village and take a 20 minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, which is a fertility temple. After Lunch you will visit the Punakha Dzong, which is stunningly situated inbetween the male and female rivers like an anchored ship. Overnight hotel in Punakha.

Day 5: Punakha – Phobjikha

After breakfast you will be driving to Khamsum Yuelley Namgayl chorten. Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten stands out on a beautiful ridge above the Punakha valley. It was built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. It took 9 years to build and Holy Scriptures rather than engineering manuals were consulted to construct this 4-storey temple. It is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and artistic traditions. This temple has been dedicated for the well being of the kingdom, its people and all sentient beings. From the parking it is another 45 minutes uphill walk through the rice fields and the return portion downhill takes around 30 minutes. Best view of the Punakha Valley is seen from the top of the temple.   After lunch you  will drive to  Phobjekha  which is a famous for winter roosting place for Black necked crane. Overnight hotel in Phobjikha.

Day 6: Phobjikha – Trongsa

Today you will drive to Trongsa. Before you drive to trongsa you will visit Black Neck Crane information center. After that you will visit  Gangtey Goenpa, the largest Nyingma monastery in Bhutan. Gyalse Pema Thinlay built a small temple in 1613, which was later built into larger Goenpa by the 2nd reincarnation Tenzin Legpai Dhendup.  Gangtey Natural Trail. The most beautiful and shortest of the existing nature trails in Bhutan. The trail hike starts from the mani (like Chhorten) stone wall to the north of the Ganagtey Gonpa and ends in Khewa Lhakhang. The hike takes about 1hr 30minutes through the pine forest and small bamboo plants. You can see the Phobjkha valley so beautifully from this hike. It is one of the best hike places for the Nature lovers. During the winter months, we can see the endangered species of birds Black Neck Cranes. Overnight hotel in Trongsa.

Day 7: Trongsa – Bumthang.

After early Breakfast you will start your drive to Bumthang. On the way you will cross Yontongla pass(3450m) and after pass you will enter in to Bumthang region. ). Along the way you will stop at the Yathra (textile weaving) factory, where the Yathras are designed with unique Patterns that have been conserved long way back in Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms.  After lunch you will visit  Kurjey Lakhang, where Guru Rinpochee left his body imprints inside cave. You will also visit Jambay lakhang, Tamshing lakhang, . Evening you can stroll freely in the town.  Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

Day 8: Bumthang – Excursion to Tang Valley

Today, you will make an enjoyable excursion to the Tang valley, which is the most remote valley in Bumthang. While in the Tang, you will visit 16th century Ugyen Chholing Palace or the country manor, which is now turned into a museum. The well-captioned exhibits offer insights into lifestyle of a Bhutanese noble family, visit Tang Rinpochoe lakhang. You will also explore nearby villages. On the way back to town, you will drop by  Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), where some of Guru Rinpoche’s treasures were found in the 15th century by the famous treasure discoverer Pema Lingpa. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

 Day 9: Bumthang – Mongar

You will begin you journey to eastern Bhutan.  You will pass through Ura village which has a medevial look because of the cobbletone streets, and the typical clothingof the women. Eastern Bhutan  is different from western and central in terms of development and lifestyle.  The drive on this day is an exhilarating 6 hours, particularly the Thrumshing La(pass), which is 3750 meters. Stop for a while and stretch your legs and enjoy the great sceneries around.  After this pass you will enter in to eastern District. Overnight hotel in Mongar.

Day 10: Mongar to Lhuntse to Autsho

After breakfast you drive to Lhuntse a remote district of Bhutan which is famous for its intricate and colorful weavings. Formally known as Kurtoe, the region is ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family. The landscape is spectacular with stark cliff, gorges and dense coniferous forest. Explore Khoma village to see the women weaving tapestry of textiles with their nimble hands. Later in the evening you will drive back to Autsho. Overnight hotel in Autsho.

Day 11: Autsho – Trashigang

Proceed to Trashigang passing Kori La pass (2450m) through several villages. In the afternoon you will visit Trashigang Dzong. Evening you stroll around Trashigang town.  Overnight hotel in Trashigang.

Day 12:Trashigang( Excursion to Rangjung/Radhi/Phongmaey)

 You will drive to Rangjung, visit Rangjung Monastery. Drive few miles further to explore Radhi and Phongmey villages, which are renowned for “Bura” gho and kira, a textle made from the raw silk. You can have your picnic lunch in one of the farm house. You may also meet Brokpas, nomadic people from Merak and sakteng who have come for barter their yak butter, cheese and dried meat with food commodities. Later in the evening drive back to Trashigang. Overnight hotel in Trashigang.

Day 13: Trashigang – Samdrupjongkhar

After breakfast, you will begin your drive to Samdrupjongkhar. This is going to be stunning journey passing through villages, , varied tropical broadleaved forest. Make a stop at Kanglung, Khaling and Narphung to interact with locals. Evening stroll around Samdrupjongkhar town. Overnight hotel in Saamdrupjongkhar.

Day 14; Depart for Guwahati

Our representative will bid you farewell.